Pretend that your items are loved and cared for...

So - most people would think that people shopping on online classified sites are looking for a bargain... yes, I would say mostly this is true - but sometimes it isn't.. I would say a lot of buyers out there are looking to pay a reasonable price for a second hand item.  These people are not to be confused with the ruthless - offer them pennies kind of person (aka me)

At a garage or yard sale, though - people know you're desperate.. you've taken the effort to haul your %#$@ to the curb and now you don't want to take it back inside.  They've got you exactly where they want you... sure, they'll offer $5 for the piece of heirloom jewelry you're selling.. (sigh)

Online, however, you may have the upper hand.... let's say your coffee table is sitting there... you are enjoying said coffee table.. you have no real NEED to sell it, do you?  Okay - maybe you DO need to sell - let's say you have a pile of stuff in your garage or basement you need to sell.. the typical person would:

a) haul out item
b) take a picture
c) list it online

no no no no no... all wrong.

The minute (as a buyer) I see...

1. Garage walls or floors
2. Unfinished basement walls (insulation/vapour barrier)
3. A layer of thick dust

... I KNOW you are not using/loving/caring/wanting that item anymore and I can get it from you for nothing. So please even if you have something in your garage.. put it somewhere in your house to take a picture, stage it like it's in use and Bob's your uncle (where did that saying come from anyway?)

Anyway - that said.. staged my own coffee table for sale.. it was a great size for us and we started to use it again but the look was all wrong.  Sold it to a lovely woman? who asked for delivery - again was nervous - but it worked out and I made $55...

Summary

Purchased: $0 (I can't remember - so long ago..)
Sold: $55
Profit: $55